Jiovani Jalalon. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Jio Jalalon took over in the fourth quarter to push Arellano University past Lyceum, 78-75, in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Jalalon, arguably the country’s best basketball player in the collegiate ranks, was unstoppable in the payoff period, where he fired 15 of his 33 points.
The veteran playmaker single-handedly towed the Chiefs down the stretch, scoring 11 of his team’s last 14 points, including a floater for a 76-71 lead with 34.8 seconds left.
Arellano improved to 11-3 and will move into solo first place if both San Beda and University of Perpetual Help lose their respective games later.
“We really needed that,” Arellano head coach Jerry Codiñera said of his prized guard’s sterling performance. “His decision making was very precise and accurate.”
“Nakakatakot kasi bumabalik talaga yung Lyceum. Akala ko nga talo na kami,” Jalalon said.
Jesper Ayaay paced the Pirates with 18 points while Mike Nzeusseu posted a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
The loss dealt a big blow to Lyceum’s Final Four chances as it fell to 5-10 with only three games remaining.